Great Week for Gay Lawmakers

WASHINGTON (U.S. Newswire) -- The New Year got off to a great start for openly gay lawmakers across America. This week, in addition to seeing New Jersey's first openly gay mayor sworn in, this week the first openly gay Speaker of the New York City Council took office, an openly gay state legislator took her seat in the Arizona State Senate, the first openly gay man to win an election in Oklahoma was reelected, and the nation's first openly gay and black mayor was returned to office in Cambridge, Mass.

In Long Hill Township, N.J., Democratic candidate Gina Genovese won a close election to the town council by narrowly defeating a twelve-year incumbent Republican in a predominantly Republican town in predominantly Republican Morris County. Following the election, Genovese was unanimously elected by the town council to serve as the first openly gay mayor in New Jersey history. New York City Democratic Councilwoman Christine Quinn was elected the first openly gay City Council speaker, largely considered the second most influential public official in New York City after the mayor.

In Arizona, Democrat Paula Aboud was sworn in this week following her appointment to the State Senate. Plus, two trailblazing lawmakers were returned to office this week. While former Democratic Mayor Ken Reeves from Cambridge, Mass.-who had served as the first openly gay and black mayor in the country from 1992-1995-was returned to office, and Oklahoma County Commissioner Jim Roth, who became the first openly gay man to win an Oklahoma election in 2002, was reelected as Chair.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean today issued the following statement applauding these victories for LGBT candidates:

"This has truly been a remarkable week for America's LGBT community, and indeed the entire American community. I am profoundly proud that the Democratic Party continues to be the Party that promotes and encourages full participation in the political process by Americans of every background. Today, thanks to Gina Genovese, Christine Quinn, Ken Reeves, Paula Aboud and Jim Roth, our institutions of government in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts Oklahoma and Arizona better reflect the communities they serve.

"These dedicated public servants show that strong Democratic candidates of all backgrounds can win elections anywhere in the country if they stand up for our Democratic values. I join Democrats all across America in commending them for standing up for those values, for their courage and for their leadership."